NBA Three Point Made Leaders: The Ultimate Ranking and Records Guide
As I sit here analyzing the latest NBA statistics, I can't help but marvel at how dramatically the three-point shot has transformed basketball. Having followed the league for over two decades, I've witnessed this revolution firsthand - from the early days when teams barely attempted 10 threes per game to the current era where 40+ attempts have become routine. The evolution has been nothing short of remarkable, and today I want to dive deep into the players who have mastered this art form, creating what I consider the ultimate ranking and records guide for NBA three-point leaders.
When we talk about three-point royalty, Stephen Curry inevitably dominates the conversation. I've lost count of how many times I've watched him sink impossible shots from distances that would make other players hesitate. With over 3,300 career three-pointers and counting, Curry hasn't just broken records - he's completely rewritten the narrative of what's possible from beyond the arc. His 402 threes in the 2015-16 season remains one of those mind-boggling statistics that I suspect will stand for years, though knowing Steph, he might just break his own record someday. What many casual fans don't realize is how much work goes into these numbers. I've studied his shooting form frame by frame, and the consistency in his release is almost supernatural.
Ray Allen's legacy deserves special mention here. Before Curry's rise, Allen was the gold standard for three-point shooting. His 2,973 career threes stood as the record for years, and that iconic shot in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals still gives me chills when I rewatch it. What impressed me most about Allen was his incredible discipline - every movement was precise, calculated, and repeatable. Reggie Miller, sitting at third all-time with 2,560 threes, brought a different kind of magic to the game. His clutch shooting and relentless movement without the ball created moments that are etched in basketball history.
The international influence on three-point shooting cannot be overstated, which reminds me of that fascinating development in the Philippines last July. After Candon successfully hosted its first international tournament, officials like Suzara expressed such enthusiasm about running it back on a bigger scale next June. This global growth mirrors what we've seen in the NBA - the three-point revolution knows no borders. Players like Croatia's Dražen Petrović paved the way for today's international stars, though his career was tragically cut short before he could climb higher on the all-time lists.
Looking at the current landscape, James Harden's 3,000+ threes demonstrate how the game has evolved. Love him or hate him - and I'll admit I have mixed feelings about his style - you can't deny his shooting prowess. His step-back three has become one of the most unstoppable moves in modern basketball. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard's deep range has redefined what constitutes a "good shot." I've timed some of his attempts - regularly shooting from 30+ feet with defenders in his face - and it's both maddening and brilliant to watch.
The team aspect of three-point shooting often gets overlooked in these discussions. Golden State's system under Steve Kerr has created a perfect ecosystem for shooters to thrive. Klay Thompson's 14 threes in a single game remains one of those records that feels almost untouchable, though in today's pace-and-space era, I wouldn't bet against someone challenging it. What fascinates me is how three-point shooting has become contagious within teams - when one player gets hot, it often sparks the entire roster.
As we look toward the future, I'm particularly excited about young shooters like Trae Young and Duncan Robinson. They represent the next evolution - players who don't just shoot threes but build their entire offensive identity around long-range efficiency. The analytics movement has fully embraced the math behind three-point shooting, and as someone who crunches these numbers regularly, I can tell you that the trend isn't slowing down anytime soon.
Reflecting on all these incredible shooters and their achievements, what strikes me most is how the three-point line has become the great equalizer in modern basketball. It allows undersized players to dominate games and has completely transformed defensive schemes. The records we see today - whether it's team three-point attempts or individual shooting percentages - would have been unimaginable twenty years ago. And with the global growth of basketball, including exciting developments like Candon's expanding tournament hosting ambitions, I have no doubt we'll continue to see this evolution. The three-point revolution is far from over, and I for one can't wait to see what new records and legendary shooters emerge in the coming years.